"Capturing the world, one click at a time."
Gordon Lewis' reflections on amateur photography and the gear it takes to do it.

October 27, 2010

What Your Choice of Camera Says About You

Just as the clothes you choose to wear, the food you like to eat, and the people you associate with say something about you, so does the camera system you buy into. The following observations are based on close association with the various groups of camera owners and from having belonged to each group at one time or another. Those who belong to the “lacking any sense of humor” or “offended at the drop of a hat” groups are strongly advised to read no further.

Canon ownersYou appreciate the benefits of owning a camera system that leads in cutting-edge digital imaging technology and that offers a wealth of body, lens, and accessory options for every level of photographer, from lowly consumer to top professional. You will switch to Nikon.

Nikon ownersYou appreciate the benefits of owning a camera system that leads in cutting-edge digital imaging technology and that offers a wealth of body, lens, and accessory options for every level of photographer, from lowly consumer to top professional. You will switch to Canon.

Sony ownersYou believe that Sony’s innovations in consumer electronics and video technology, its leadership in digital imaging chip production, its in-body image stabilization, and its use of Zeiss optics results in a unique design synergy and products of exceptional value—because that’s what it says in the product literature. You also believe in astrology, UFOs and the Easter Bunny.

Pentax ownersYou’re the sort of person who would buy a $1500 DSLR body so your stash of thread-mount, K-mount and M-mount lenses from decades ago (collectively worth $75.00 at a flea market or yard sale) won’t go to waste; either that, or you’ve never heard of a Spotmatic, Pentax LX or Takumar, you just think you look cool sporting a day-glo red camera that takes real pictures. You think people are laughing with you, not at you.

Olympus ownersYou’re the sort of person who buys North Korean beer, Peruvian underwear, and French computers, not because you actually like them but because no one else does. When people question your choice of camera system you respond that Olympus images have a certain “soul” and that photographs are what matter, not the camera. You have no friends.

Leica ownersYou know that no other camera other than a Hasselblad gains as much instant respect among the cognoscenti as a Leica. Although this relieves the pressure of demonstrating actual photographic prowess, it increases the need to be familiar with the subtle differences in visual signature between an Elmar, Elmarit, Summitar, Summicron, and Summilux. You are either stinking rich, living in your mother’s basement, or one lens purchase away from a divorce.

Panasonic, Fuji, Samsung, Minolta, Yashica owners and et cetera should be relieved rather than offended that they were not included. Comments are welcome as long as they are civil. Extra points will be given for self-deprecation.

11/1/10 Addendum: Thanks to one and all for your comments. I was overwhelmed by their volume as well as their good-natured sense of humor--so much so that I won't be accepting any more. Let this article and its 204 comments be a refreshing testament to the fact that we photographers don't take ourselves or our cameras too seriously. Feel free to link to it and share it as you see fit (with proper credit to the author, of course.)

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Comments

That's a little harsh, don't you think? For us Pentax owners, yes, the lenses may be worth $75 at a flea market, but it would cost $2000 to replace them with new ones. That's a good savings to me and reduces my costs for the hobby.

Please re-read the opening paragraph. You were warned. Also keep in mind that I shoot with a Pentax K-7, Canon EOS 30D, Nikon FM3A, and Olympus OM-1. Every statement I've made about these brand owners therefore applies to me as much as anyone else.

I'm shocked by this! I'm one of those Sony owners. First of all, we all know that brochures never lie. And you seem to be suggesting that there's no Easter Bunny.
I also own an Olympus, what's wrong with North Korean beer? And how did you know who made my underwear?
Shocking, I say, truly shocking.

My first SLR was a Spotmatic, so I have a soft spot for Pentax. But then I bought a Nikkormat and it's been Nikon, Nikon, Nikon ever since. As the years have gone by, sometimes it seemed that Canon had the lead and I'd ask myself "Should I switch?" But then Nikon would bring out something new and I'd say "Boy, I'm glad I didn't switch!". And then Canon would up the ante and I'd think, "Well, maybe I should switch." But then Nikon would pull another rabbit out of the hat and I'd congratulate myself for being so smart and sticking to Nikon. And so on...
Being a procrastinator has sure saved me a lot of money...

I'm an Olympus owner because the E-500 was much better than the Canon/Nikon offerings at the time. It's pretty much that simple.... The Canon D350 seemed capable, but had a software interface which seemed to be designed by a sadist.... The Olympus was easy: Hit Info, scroll to the icon, set the compensation. The Canon was hard. Scroll through screen after screen, looking for the right jargon. Missed it once, and was generally unsatisfied with the experience. So I bought the Olympus.

Can't say I regret it. Apparently, I have a small sensor and this makes me less of a man. But I also have an f2.0 constant 70-200mm equivalent lens, which makes everyone look bloody fabulous. As Robert Chapman said earlier, the top dog changes frequently anyway. And the cheapest digital SLR takes better pictures than a top-of-the-range camera and film from 30 years ago.

If your brand is truly making your pictures what they are, then you're either 0.01% of the market or have an awful lot to learn about photography. Still, thanks for the laugh! ;-)

There's precisely one thing my $75 collection of Pentax glass doesn't do that yours does - lens flare. Enjoy your multi-thousand dollar lenses, suckers. BTW, would one of you mind if I borrowed a Canon for my next low-light event...?

Ok, let's be serious for a moment. Just a moment! I hung on to all my Nikon manual gear because I never thought "digital- those pixelated images" would take off for many years. Apparently, neither did many high end lens and camera manufacturers, especially Nikon and the German makes. I followed them. See, I know how to be defensive.

I waited and waited and everyone hated me during this period. I still wonder why. Finally the Pentax K10D came out. Apparently, I could now afford this with the money all the haters gave me on my birthday. I deemed it the best bargain in the DSLR world. So did the haters. I keep and show a few Nikon lenses and tell everyone when I am in the field about how I am really a Nikon user but they haven't made the DSLR camera I like yet. They always ask you know. My wife says that when I am out of earshot, people are really asking about my ancient taped Manfrotto tripod with the pipe insulation--a great modest innovation, if I may say so.I know that one day, as I cry in my Nikon glass when no one is looking (just ask my wife-I had to tell someone) that all my Nikon lenses will be backward compatible. Nikon promised, you know. My sincere tears re-endeared me to my friends and family (the haters with the money) who say, "never mind, we love your work." And, it's all about the work--more tears... I wonder who told them. I bet it was the people I met in the field.

I shoot Canon for money, Olympus for fun and Leica for film. Does that make me a Nikon refugee with itchy alpaca jocks, a colossal debt and a decaying Citroen in the yard? Yes, no, yes, no.
The divorce lens (almost) was the Millenium (Falcon) 35mm Summicron (black paint, 2,000 limited edition) but at least it fits on the Olympus E-P2 as well. Bargain. Funded by a commitment to second-hand clothing, 25 year old cars, rough wine and cheap pizza. It's all a matter of priorities innit? Hmmmm....is this a lifestyle?

I'm a Canon gal myself...kachunk, kachunk (that's the shutter sound). Have of course contemplated the switch to Nikon but have way too much invested in lenses. I didn't know that anyone actually used Sony or Olympus. ; - )